Mayor Victor M. Gordo: Six Months After the Eaton Fire

Six months ago, the Eaton Fire tore through our foothill communities—scorching the land, damaging homes, and forcing families in Altadena and Pasadena to flee with little more than hope in their hearts. But the greatest loss, the most painful wound, was the loss of 18 precious lives. They were mothers, fathers, grandparents, brothers, neighbors—people who mattered. And they are deeply missed.

And yet, out of that destruction, we witnessed something remarkable: the strength, resilience, and deep connection that define our community. We saw neighbors reaching out to help neighbors. We saw strangers become family. And we saw the incredible strength of a community that, even in the face of devastation, refused to be broken.

As we mark this six-month milestone, I want to thank Governor Newsom for his leadership and steadfast support from day one. I also want to express tremendous appreciation for our federal, state, and local partners—including Congresswoman Judy Chu, State Senator Sasha Renee Perez, Assemblymember John Harabedian, Supervisor Kathryn Barger and her team, FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CalOES, our dedicated City of Pasadena staff, and my own team in the Mayor’s Office. Together, we have forged a path for recovery that is not only steady—it is, by all measures, unprecedented in its pace and coordination.

But let’s be clear: the hardest work—the real work—has been done by the people of this community. It’s been the neighbors who showed up, unannounced, with gloves and shovels, clearing ash from the yards of folks they’d never even met. It’s been our local organizations, our faith leaders, and efforts like the Eaton Fire Collaborative—bringing together over a hundred community organizations and groups from Altadena and Pasadena—standing shoulder to shoulder to support fire survivors. And it’s been our Day Laborer Fire Brigade—immigrant workers who didn’t wait to be asked, who stepped forward without hesitation, and helped clear debris and make our public spaces safe again. That’s what community looks like. That’s what hope in action looks like.

And now—unjustly—many of these very same individuals are living in fear. Seemingly targeted by DHS immigration agents in a sweeping deportation effort that shows no regard for their contributions, their humanity, or the role they’ve played in helping us rebuild. That is not who we are. That is not what community looks like.

As we move forward—rebuilding homes, restoring lives, and renewing hope—we must also speak the truth: recovery is not easy. Many families are still navigating unimaginable challenges and hardships. The road ahead is long, and the work continues. But our community has always been more than the sum of its hardships. It’s defined by compassion, unity, and an unshakable belief that we take care of one another.

As we move forward, let us recommit to rebuilding not just homes, but also to the values that make this community so special. And to protecting the very people who are making our recovery possible. Let us stand with those who stood with us. Let us remember that when the fire came, we did not retreat—we reached back. We reached out. And together, with a shared sense of purpose, we rose Dena Strong.